Welsh Exiles rebrand as Clwb Exiles

British & Irish Lions heroes Alex Cuthbert and Sam Warburton at the relaunch in London.

Sam Warburton, Alex Cuthbert and Colin Charvis were the star attractions at a re-launch event for the Welsh Exiles held in London last week.

The current Wales and British and Irish Lions stars, and former player turned pundit Charvis, held court as the organisation, whose primary aim is the identification and nurturing of Welsh qualified players living outside Wales, re-launched itself as 'Clwb Exiles'.

The club is embarking on a new season with renewed vigour, the promise of more fixtures for its members and prospective members and an outreach schedule which will include 'recruitment' drives as far and wide as the North West as well as its traditional heartland in the English capital.

Club chairman, Martyn Ryan, thanked master of ceremonies Phil Steele for hosting the evening and explained how the rebranding coincides with a new increasingly proactive approach for Clwb Exiles.

"We have two main aims as a club," said Mr Ryan. "We endeavour to identify Welsh qualified players and offer them the chance to get on the player pathway to elite rugby in Wales and we provide rugby fixtures for Welsh exiles to showcase their talents.

"Our mission is gathering new impetus this season with an increase in the number of fixtures we are proposing and an expanding network of staff who will be visiting rugby clubs and researching the backgrounds of relevant players.

"We also intend to hold more events like the one this evening in central London, but to take them to different venues around the country.

"This evening has been a resounding success and we would like to thank Sam, Alex, Colin and our expert host Phil Steele for the part they have played.

"Alex is someone who was identified by the Welsh exiles and has gone on to join the likes of Tom Shanklin, Huw Bennett and Colin before him and achieve great success on the international stage in Welsh colours.

"These are players who would probably not have found their way back to Wales without our intervention.

"We are proud to have played a part, but are also sure there is plenty more to come from Clwb Exiles in the future."

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